Expression of <i>unc-18</i> R39C or E465K point mutations enhances acute alcohol sensitivity.

<p>(A) Location of the three investigated point mutations of <i>unc-18</i> (R39C, E465K and P240S) in a predicted model of UNC-18 structure. Null <i>unc-18</i> (<i>e81</i>) worms were rescued transgenically with either wild-type (Wt) <i>unc-18</i> or <i>unc-18</i> with the indicated point mutations. In comparison to Wt <i>unc-18</i>, both the R39C and E465K point mutations increased acute sensitivity to ethanol at (B) stimulatory levels (21 mM) and (C) depressive levels (400 mM) of external ethanol. For (A) significance was assessed by one-way analysis of variance with post-hoc comparisons; *P<0.05; N = 28 (Wt), 20 (R39C), 22 (P240S) and 20 (E465K). For (B) significance was assessed by Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance with post-hoc comparisons; *P<0.05; N = 29 (Wt), 40 (R39C), 20 (P240S), 18 (E465K).